Two brothers charged with murder in 7-year-old girl’s shooting death in Palmdale

Third suspect not charged

Desirae Macias passed away Thursday, September 5, 2013 after her family took her off life support. Macias was shot in the head Wednesday, September 4, 2013 in Palmdale.

There are conflicting news reports of 7-year-old Desirae Macias who was shot in head Wednesday night. Earlier published reports state she was taken off life support and passed away last night. County prosecutors are now saying Desirae is brain dead, and on life support.

LANCASTER, Calif. — Two brothers were charged today with murder and other counts in connection with a car-to-car shooting in Palmdale that killed a 7-year-old girl.

The charges against Jesus Alberto Peralta, 22, and his 19-year-old brother, Carlos, were filed hours after Desirae Macias was taken off life support. The girl died at 11:28 p.m. Thursday, according to Craig Harvey of the coroner’s office.

The Peralta brothers were scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Lancaster Superior Court on one count each of murder and shooting at an occupied motor vehicle and three counts each of attempted murder. The charges include gang and gun allegations.

The shooting that killed the girl happened near Sunburst and Stratford drives about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, shortly after two groups exchanged words at a Mobil station at Pearblossom Highway and Fort Tejon Road, according to sheriff’s Lt. Glenn Brandon.

Sheriff’s deputies said one group followed the other away from the Mobil station, and shots were fired at several locations, Brandon said. He said detectives found evidence at three shooting scenes, and shells were found at 57th Street and East Avenue S. Evidence was also collected near Regency Place and Essex Drive, he said.

According to Brandon, a sheriff’s deputy later stopped a vehicle matching one that was involved in the shooting, and three men were arrested, he said.